Thursday, June 05, 2014

Bourges Boulevard meltdown LATEST, crunching through the e-mails and it's not looking good for existing businesses and retail operations in Peterborough for the next year or so, or residents with mobility issues...

PBROTRIB SAYS: This was agreed at a time before the current economic slump and the PCCs rapidly escalating debt mountain was just a small hill, and also before the PBROTRIB existed, so no one actually questioning the ramrod tactics of the Dear Leader and his cowed councillors to get it pushed through and adopted.. (robotic voting et al)

Bourges
Boulevard acts a physical barrier between the station and the wider city centre,
resulting in poor connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.

PBROTRIB SAYS: AS CYCLISTS are now barred from Bridge Street and most local residents use the railway station to get out of the City and commute to where the jobs are, and then return in the evening, to go home. This would seem to be a rubbish idea and an outmoded rationale.

Mr Machin does not seem to understand, even after the completion of the longdrawn out works the redevelopment, Bourges Boulevard sadly will continue to act as physical barrier between the station and the wider city centre, resulting in poor connectivity as the existing ramp and overhead covered footway are to be removed, and not replaced, the population generally is getting older and people with limited mobility greatly on the increase.

No consideration for disabled people who in future will have to compete directly with several lanes of live two way traffic. The physical walk from the station, then over (he says) a busy thoroughfare and a further long walk into the town centre with an excessive amount of pop up shops, bookies, Cheap outlets like Poundland, TKMAXX, pubs, nightclubs, lap dancing etc. populate the Cereste Memorial public realm. Clearly if you are shopping you'll need some form of transport, a car or taxiand will tend to use a destination shopping area such as Serpentine Green with FREE parking. PCC selling off council car parks being an act of gross stupidity. It will of course be a no go area for the majority of Peterborians who need mobility assistance. Crossing times will need to be extended to facilitate wheelchairs and mobility buggies, but they won't, as it will hold up the traffic on Bourges Boulevard!

It has also proved
a significant deterrent to inward investment in the Station Quarter and North
Westgate. I recently met with [prospective] bidders for the east coast main line franchise.

PBROTRIB SAYS: Did Mr Machin bother to meet with the RMT Union? And Mr Machin has omitted to mention that HS2 is already sucking investment out of this City, why do you think Queensgate recently changed hands at a knockdown price? The proceeds have gone into Birmingham (on the proposed HS2 route)

All [prospective bidders for East Coast Main Line?] recognise the significant development potential of land close to the station
and that Peterborough station and its environs has far less of a retail, leisure
and commercial offer than comparable stations elsewhere.

PBROTRIB SAYS:If Mr Machin had a look at The Kantor shopping index, he'd find that his ideas for retail development are so outdated, and wide of the mark. Pub groups and retailers are currently dumping commercial leases as fast as possible and commercial retail and leisure redevelopment of the Station Quarter, will just dry up any remaining (or reduce trade) in the centre of Peterborough...apart from the drunks and fights in vomit alley aka Broadway / Long Causeway (Thursday to early Sunday morning) and financially damage retailers who do try and invest in this City.

They [ East Coast bidders ] welcome the
Council’s investment in this scheme which will help to unlock this potential.
They forecast that the number of passengers using the station will increase from
5 to between 8-10 million per year over the next 10 years and that this
represents a significant opportunity to capture expenditure locally. PBROTRIB SAYS: No it won't, the idea of a train is to go somewhere else.The private Train Company will make money for its shareholders

Without
the Bourges Boulevard scheme the new Waitrose development adjacent to the Great
Northern Hotel would have been contrary to the Council’s planning policies due
to poor pedestrian connectivity with the city centre.

PBROTRIB SAYS: The planning policies are flawed and so outdated, not taking account of changing 21st Century spending/ wealth patterns. Why would PEDESTRIANS, ie people on foot, use Waitrose A SUPERMARKET? Its not been planned out properly with cars, and service vehicles, an essential part of the process, taking pride of place.

You only have to look at the blacked out Cerestemobile, the dear leader drives around in, and the increasing number of EMPTY electric car points denied to the majority of car owners and disabled drivers to get the picture.

One might also ask in view of Tescos downgrading of profits, loss of trade to the discounters the likes of Asda, Aldi & Lidl.How Mr Machin can claim to be on top of the everchanging retail marketplace?

PBROTRIB SAYS: It also blew a cool £2 million plus, on legal advice and consultancy for the stunningly successful Cereste solar farm adventure. To fund it the PCC, cut back on meals on wheels, dropped essential bus services, closed childrens centres, watched BBC live broadcasting decamp from the City to Labour controlled Cambridge. It also watched Cllr Turnip try to stifle retail development ( using planning protocols and late night doorstepping of elderly impressionable Stanground residents to oppose first a Burger King franchise, then a Subway food outlet, at our only revamped service station in Stanground. Hardly an encouragement for new inwaerd investment...)

This
capital scheme will not generate revenue budget savings. However, it will help
to create new jobs and new business rate income, and support the city centre
economy. Peterborough’s city centre has a retail vacancy rate of just over 9%
compared to an average of over 14% nationally.

PBROTRIB SAYS:GET REAL!It won't support the City Centre Economy, just have a look at people currently using it, and the branded carrier bags they carry. Mainly Primark, but council officers should already know this. The retail vacancy rate numbers are suspect as well. Have a good look at the number of Charity shops, and pop-up units in Bridge Street alone ! The new major chains that have moved in ? No one will go public on the 'behind closed doors deals' to get them in. But if the revenue isn't there. They too will move out.

PBROTRIB SAYS: Delusional rubbish of course the only high quality aspect is the amount of hard cash wasted on fountains, ripping out mature trees and the installation of a gaudy lighting system that would not be out of place in Blackpool and only serves to highlight the 'devoid of pedestrians' after 6pm along Peterborough Centrals' Bridge Street, and the 'tumbleweed' rolling around in Cathedral Square. Empty streets, mainly down to the continuing high levels of drug abuse, drunks and muggings in the Public Realm Centre of our City

The chief executive of Land Securities, one of the
UK’s largest retail investment institutions, recently forecast that there is a
surplus approaching 25% of retail floorspace in the UK, due in part to the
success of on-line shopping.

Without continued investment there is a significant
risk that Peterborough will be unable to compete.

Extensive
traffic modelling of the Bourges Boulevard scheme took place using the VISIM
simulation model. I can arrange for Mr Francis to be shown this if he would like
to take the opportunity.

The modelling also takes into account traffic from the
new Waitrose development. Traffic congestion is relative. What may be considered
congestion in Peterborough would not be considered such in many other towns and
cities.

As a simple test, if you stand on the footbridge on Bourges Boulevard
outside Queensgate and observe traffic flow, it is light and free flowing
outside the morning and evening peak. Whilst the Bourges Boulevard scheme when
complete will result in some delay for motorists this is outweighed by the clear
benefits for pedestrians and cyclists, and for
the
city centre economy.PBROTRIB SAYS: Simple says it all really, Simon. After Mr Machen has finished there will be NO footbridge (in fact a covered walkway) to stand on, it is going. And this astonishing statement: "When complete will result in some delay for motorists, this is outweighed by the clear benefits for pedestrians and cyclists, and for the city centre economy." However, NO ONE has quantified the clear benefits for pedestrians and why would they take that route from the train to see the dysfunctional fountains perhaps? "There is even going to be some delay for motorists" Motorists include JIT Delivery lorries, service vehicles, Ambulances, Fire Engines, Breakdown and other Emergency services, taxis, buses ( the few that are left) Customers for the new Waitrose, Station Taxis...and so on

The
choice of tree species has been very carefully considered by the landscape
architects involved in the design of the scheme and the Council’s own in-house
tree specialists. Tilia Cordata Greenspire has been selected as the most
appropriate species.

Bourges Boulevard at present is a hostile urban environment and the
scheme will significantly enhance the appearance of the area. There are also
clear benefits to tree planting in a wider environmental context.

Turning
to potential damage by vehicles, liability rests with the party causing the
damage and this is actively pursued by the Council.

Given that vehicle speeds
will be reduced through the introduction of two at grade pedestrian crossings
and a signalised junction serving the station, I would anticipate there being
fewer incidents, and the scheme is of course subject to a full safety audit.

PBROTRIB SAYS: So some injuries and fatalities to pedestians competing head on with cars and commercial vehicles, are accepted under this scheme as the overhead covered ramp and walkway is being removed?

Since the initial artist’s impression, the scheme design has evolved
significantly with trees now contained within planters in the central reserve
and with artist designed ‘railings’ linking those raised planters.

PBROTRIB SAYS: Cllr Marco Cereste has always demanded trees in planters, seems he has his way again. They will never properly mature so why bother? They'll probably vanish within a few years!

In
summary, the scheme has been subject to extensive professional design input and
will bring clear economic and environmental benefits to the area. I would be
more than happy to meet with Mr Francis to discuss any further
concerns.

P'BORO TRIB. SEARCH ENGINE

LONDON EVENING STANDARD NEWSREEL

JULIAN BRAY AVIATION SECURITY NEWS 01733 345581 UK ISDN 01733 345020

UPDATES: Post are transmitted from a variety of remote sources, immediately published on servers in the USA, additions, updates and any corrections added later on the blog version only.

Editorial policy: WE DON'T CENSOR NEWS, we will however come down hard on lawbreakers, all forms of ASB - Anti Social Behaviour, and anyone or group who seek to disturb or disrupt our neighbourhoods and communities, or in anyway abuse, take unfair advantage or financially disadvantage our citizens.

We support the Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch and digitally carry the messages from this independently resourced Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. A scheme operated following written guidelines to us directly from the Home Office.

We are openly but constructively critical of all political parties (actual and sham), pressure groups, overbearing 'jobsworths' and those who seek to waste public funds, abuse public office, ramp up expenses, BUY VOTES and/or engage in any form of directed or robotic voting.

Whilst accepting that many in Public Office perform a valuable service and make a worthwhile contribution, there are others who are frankly rubbish. Although Julian Bray is the editor, there are several Blog administrators / correspondents who actively contribute by remote transmission to this blog.

So it could be some days before the copy (content) is seen by the Editor and properly formatted. We consider all representations and correct any facts that are clearly deficient.

OUR HUMAN RIGHT TO LAMPOON AND CRITICISE POLITICIANS

THE HIGH COURT has ruled....People have a right to lampoon and criticise politicians and public officials under the Human Rights Act, the High Court has ruled. We have the full High Court judgment, saved as a page on here. lampoon (lampoon) Pronunciation: /lamˈpuːn/ verb [with object]publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm: the actor was lampooned by the press noun a speech or text lampooning someone or something: the magazine fired at God, Royalty, and politicians, using cartoons and lampoons.

Derivatives: lampooner noun lampoonery noun lampoonist noun Origin: mid 17th century: from French lampon, said to be from lampons 'let us drink' (used as a refrain), from lamper 'gulp down', nasalized form of laper 'to lap (liquid).

NUJ CODE OF CONDUCT

NUJ Code of Conduct

The NUJ's Code of Conduct has set out the main principles of British and Irish journalism since 1936.

The code is part of the rules and all journalists joining the union must sign that they will strive to adhere to the it.

Members of the National Union of Journalists are expected to abide by the following professional principles:

A journalist:

1 At all times upholds and defends the principle of media freedom, the right of freedom of expression and the right of the public to be informed

2 Strives to ensure that information disseminated is honestly conveyed, accurate and fair

3 Does her/his utmost to correct harmful inaccuracies

4 Differentiates between fact and opinion

5 Obtains material by honest, straightforward and open means, with the exception of investigations that are both overwhelmingly in the public interest and which involve evidence that cannot be obtained by straightforward means

6 Does nothing to intrude into anybody's private life, grief or distress unless justified by overriding consideration of the public interest

7 Protects the identity of sources who supply information in confidence and material gathered in the course of her/his work

8 Resists threats or any other inducements to influence, distort or suppress information and takes no unfair personal advantage of information gained in the course of her/his duties before the information is public knowledge

9 Produces no material likely to lead to hatred or discrimination on the grounds of a person's age, gender, race, colour, creed, legal status, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation

10 Does not by way of statement, voice or appearance endorse by advertisement any commercial product or service save for the promotion of her/his own work or of the medium by which she/he is employed

11 A journalist shall normally seek the consent of an appropriate adult when interviewing or photographing a child for a story about her/his welfare

12 Avoids plagiarism The NUJ believes a journalist has the right to refuse an assignment or be identified as the author of editorial that would break the letter or spirit of the code.

The NUJ will fully support any journalist disciplined for asserting her/his right to act according to the code

The NUJ logo is always a link to the home page.

(As modified at Delegate Meeting 2011)

PBROTRIB CHARTER

Rights Holder CharterVersion: January 2009 v.3IntroductionThis Rights Holder Charter (“Charter”) sets out the terms and conditions governing the relationship between Julian Bray, Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch blog entitled Peterborough Tribune (PBROTRIB) on the Blogger and other platforms, and an individual or company making a Contribution to PBROTRIB (“Rights Holder”). The purpose of this document is to ensure that the Charter terms areincorporated into to all Contracts with each Rights Holder, so both parties areclear as to how PBROTRIB may use content. This Charter does not apply to content submitted:· using a feature or interactive service that allowsthe individual to upload to and display content on any of PBROTRIB websites(including social sites), apps, WAP sites or any web address owned or operatedby PBROTRIB as may link to the terms accessible at(User-Generated Content (“UGC”)); or· This Charter applies to all Rights Holder Contributions, except where the Rights Holder is already subject to a separatewritten agreement with PBROTRIB in relation to Contributions, or where PBROTRIBhas agreed in writing to vary or amend the Charter due to exceptional circumstances. Formation of the Contract

We will not be able to provide Credits where aRights Holder has not provided the relevant information.

Material You Send Us

Material You Send Us is a Contribution that isreceived by PBROTRIB from a Rights Holder. The Contribution may be solicited or unsolicited. The following are examples of Material You Send Us: PBROTRIB has seen the Rights Holders’ photograph on a third party website. PBROTRIB contacts theRights Holder and asks to use the photograph. (Solicited). A Rights Holder speculatively submits a range of photographs to and for PBROTRIB’s use. The Editor may or may not decide to use one or more of the photographs. (Unsolicited) Material You Send Us does not include UGC, Material We Request You To Send Us or material that is governed under anyother relationship between the Rights Holder and PBROTRIB. PBROTRIB is under no obligation to accept any Material You Send Us for review and if accepted for review is under no obligation to offer a Contract. Should PBROTRIB decide that it wishes to use the Contribution, it will be governed by the terms of this Charter. PBROTRIB is under no obligation to use the Contribution. If you wish to submit a speculative Contribution to us, pleasecontact the appropriate PBROTRIB title. Please note that PBROTRIB will not be able to acknowledge receipt of your Contribution and any submission is at the Rights Holder’s own risk.Material You Send Us – Licence TermsPBROTRIB believes that Material You Send Us is theRights Holder’s property and that the Rights Holder should not need to give up all its rights for the Contribution to be used by PBROTRIB. Therefore, bysending us a Contribution, the Rights Holder grants the following irrevocable licence in perpetuity to PBROTRIB: The right to publish, reproduce, licence and sell the Contribution as part of the Publication throughout the world in the following formats:-- the physical printed Publication;-- in a replica layout in any electronic format ofthe Publication;-- on the website version of the Publication;-- in any PBROTRIB apps delivering the Publicationto a reader; and-- on any PBROTRIB social media pages.-- The right to publish extracts or the whole ofthe Publication (which may or may not include the Contribution) when promoting PBROTRIB’s business or subscriptions in media advertisement, show cards and other promotional aids. The Right to authorise The Newspaper Licensing Agency and similar reprographic rights organisations in other jurisdictions (“RROs”) to distribute or license the distribution of your Contribution throughout the world in any language(s) for RROs’ licensed acts and purposes as amended from time to time, and to keep available your Contribution through such RROs. The unlimited right to amend, edit, select, crop, retouch, add to or delete any part of the Contribution, in any format, whether electronic or otherwise, including the right to remove or amend any meta data associated with the Contribution.

POLICE NON EMERGENCY NUMBER

Peterborough Telegraph - News Feed

UPDATE:Following a tip off from Animalsearch. We recovered a cat from Kings Lynn yesterday 21/01/2017 too early to say if it is our missing cat as Vet Anna at Oakdale needs te sedate the poor creature who has been living rough, but fed by local householders.Sad to report, the stray is Not our missing cat, but the rescue cat will be rehomed once his feral demeanour can be muted +++++ Update on the feral. He's now had an operation to remove a few teeth and castrated. Still a bit frisky but Dphne of Peterborough Cats Rescue is working with him...Manwhile Wiggle is still missing... A small Grey Persian style rescue cat has gone missing, Small but fast, very trusting, likes to climb, enter cat flaps, climb fences also enters open windows. No collar, takes them off within hours.. He is identity chipped, very affectionate and likes a cuddle. Might have jumped into a car or van so could NOW be anywhere! Has small curley tail. Any information welcome.